Superstar-Chapter 49

 Thanks for reading... Follow me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook! Check out previous chapters of Superstar and samples of my first novel, Facets: Stories of the Mundane and the Weird, here on the blog. Facets is available on the Kindle Market!

Chapter 49: Quiet

                  “I’m an orphan.”

                  Dom didn’t say it in a self-pitying, mournful tone. She stated it very matter-of-factly, like she was noting the color of the sky. Terry didn’t quite buy it, but he kept that to himself.

                  “Technically, that’s not true.” He pointed out as he handed her a mug of hot chocolate. “Your mother is still alive.”

                  Dom made a rude noise. “As far as she’s concerned, I’m dead, so it’s the same difference.” She took a sip and thanked Terry. He drank his cocoa and watched her. She held the mug under her chin, warming herself with it. “It doesn’t matter anyway. That’s a cold room I’m not in anymore, thanks to you.”

                 “Happy to help,” Terry said. He went to the kitchen to contemplate dinner. He’d already stowed Dom’s luggage in his room and let out the sleeper in the living room so she was set for a place to sleep. Terry opened up the freezer and took out some hamburger patties. He thought he heard a sob from the living room. Shaking his head, Terry started to open the burgers when he definitely heard a sob coming from the living room.

                  He stood in the doorway and saw Dom’s shoulders heaving. To her credit, she kept her tears mostly silent. Terry walked to her and wrapped his arms around her, offering his comfort, his strength. Something broke open inside her and she held onto Terry and cried bitter, loud tears as she shook convulsively. Eventually, Dom composed herself and, in a voice thick with tears, said, “I’m sorry, Terry.”

That caught him off completely off guard. “Sorry for what?”

                  “For intruding in your group, your home and your life.”

                  “Dom…”, He said, still not quite believing what he heard, “…I invited you here. If I didn’t want you here, you wouldn’t be here.” Terry kissed her on the forehead. “Ava may not’ve wanted you around, but I do, Dom. I do.” 
                  Dom rested her head on his chest and sighed her thanks. They sat there for a long time, Terry rocking her gently and Dom enjoying the press of his body against hers and the enveloping warmth of his love.

 (c)2015 Courtney & W.L. Sherrod